Diocesan Communicator Symposium

The Most Reverend Louis Tylka is Bishop of Peoria and a member of the USCCB Communications committee. We are honored that he plans to join us for a significant portion of the Diocesan Communicator Symposium.

Katie is KPC’s founder and president. In addition to her ongoing role as an adjunct business professor, she has served as executive director of communications and planning for the Archdiocese of St. Louis and as vice president of strategic communications for Catholic Leadership Institute. She began her career with USA Today, where she ultimately served as National Director for Higher Education Programs.

Anne is a KPC senior strategist focused on crisis communications and public relations. A former television reporter and communications director for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, the versatile Anne also has served as interim communications director for the Diocese of Peoria and the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

A former communications director for both the Archdiocese of St. Louis and the Diocese of Peoria, Steve is a KPC senior strategist and a published author. He has served as a communications leader for the national Catholic hospital system Ascension and for the Benedictine monks of Saint Louis Abbey and their Saint Louis Priory School.

Tom has served as director of communications for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis since 2015. Before accepting his archdiocesan role, he worked in TV news as an anchor and reporter for 20 years – including for 12 years at the Fox owned and operated station in Minneapolis and St. Paul, where he grew up.

Molly is KPC’s director of growth and partnerships. She previously was head of operations for the Archdiocese of St. Louis’ Rural Parish Clinic and director of content for the National Eucharistic Congress. Molly has worked in various Church apostolates including the Holy See’s delegation to the United Nations, Caritas Internationalis, in Geneva, Switzerland.

Daryl Thuringer is a KPC senior strategist who previously worked as communications director for the Diocese of Sioux Falls and as a communications leader for a Catholic health care ministry. His son, Father Andrew Thuringer, is a priest of the Diocese of Sioux Falls assigned to serve as parochial vicar and director of discipleship and evangelization for eight South Dakota churches.

Ed serves as academic dean and associate professor of systematic theology at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. He previously was director of the Archdiocese of St. Louis’ Pontifical Paul VI Institute of Catechetical and Pastoral Studies, where he helped to create the Archdiocesan Lay Formation Program. Ed served in the Diocese of Saginaw before coming to St. Louis.

Patrick is a digital strategy leader with over two decades of experience driving impactful web strategies, optimizing online visibility, and analyzing digital performance. As founder of Powers Digital, he has worked with clients to enhance their websites' functionality, user experience, and search engine performance.

Sean is Senior Communications Manager for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. With over 20 years of experience in both parishes and dioceses, he has a passion for helping others communicate the Gospel, the Church’s teachings, and stories about the faith more effectively. He is a member of the ad-hoc committee on artificial intelligence for the Catholic Media Association and an adjunct instructor at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, teaching courses in public relations and interpersonal communication.

Director of Communications,
Diocese of Lincoln

“Communication is so important to helping grow our faith and bring people into a relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. … The Symposium was run efficiently, the training was impactful and the results will be seen in our dioceses for years to come.”

Digital Media Strategist, Diocese of Gary

“The Diocesan Communicator Symposium was an invaluable opportunity to learn, grow, and connect as a communicator. I feel much more confident in my position to represent and serve the Church in our modern communications era. … I hope [the Symposium] continues to exist for many generations of communicators to come as we seek to serve the Church in an important role.”

Executive Director of Communications, Diocese of St. Petersburg

“Thank you for investing in this opportunity for communicators to grow and learn to better evangelize.”

Director of Information Management, Diocese of Peoria

“So incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend the DCS…. As a new curial staff member, the friendships I made here will truly last a lifetime. The expertise and knowledge I gained has inspired me to continue the good work at my home Diocese.”

Former Digital Media Manager, Diocese of Baton Rouge

“Over four days, I was able to meet incredible communicators from across the country and share with them the trials and triumphs of working in diocesan communication. This symposium encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone, … and ultimately grow in communion with members of the Body of Christ I would not have been able to otherwise.”

Communications – Content Specialist, Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau

“[S]ometimes the role of communications can be a bit isolating. The symposium gave me an opportunity to learn how to become a better communicator. It gave me wonderful, new ideas for improving the communication work produced on behalf of my diocese. The symposium also enabled me to make connections with other diocese communicators that I can now reach out to with questions and to share ideas.” 

Senior Communications Manager, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

“This is a unique opportunity that needs to be shared to a larger audience.”